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Webster 1913 Edition

emphasis

em′pha-sis

(ĕm′fȧ-sĭs)
,
Noun.
;
pl.
Emphases
(ĕm′fȧ-sēz)
.
[L., fr. Gr.
ἔμφασισ
significance, force of expression, fr.
ἐμφαίνειν
to show in, indicate;
ἐν
in +
φαίνειν
to show. See
In
, and
Phase
.]
1.
(Rhet.)
A particular stress of utterance, or force of voice, given in reading and speaking to one or more words whose signification the speaker intends to impress specially upon his audience.
The province of
emphasis
is so much more important than accent, that the customary seat of the latter is changed, when the claims of
emphasis
require it.
E. Porter.
2.
A peculiar impressiveness of expression or weight of thought; vivid representation, enforcing assent;
as, to dwell on a subject with great
emphasis
.
External objects stand before us . . . in all the life and
emphasis
of extension, figure, and color.
Sir W. Hamilton.

Webster 1828 Edition

Emphasis

EM'PHASIS

,
Noun.
In rhetoric, a particular stress of utterance, or force of voice, given to the words or parts of a discourse, whose signification the speaker intends to impress specially upon his audience; or a distinctive utterance of words, specially significant, with a degree and kind of stress suited to convey their meaning in the best manner.
The province of emphasis is so much more important than accent, that the customary seat of the latter is changed, when the claims of emphasis require it.

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